CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A health care advocacy organization held a community forum last week to discuss its organization’s efforts ahead of the 2018 midterm election.
Thirty-five people attended the “Healthcare for All” community forum at Mary C. Snow Elementary School. The event’s organizer, Rise Up West Virginia, encouraged those in attendance to speak up about how the current health care system affects them, as well as discuss methods of supporting politicians who support universal health care.
When a speaker asked the crowd if they were unhappy with their current health care insurance, most people raised their hands. One person spoke about the high costs associated with health insurance, while others spoke highly of their experience purchasing insurance from the health insurance exchange.
Steering committee member Cathy Kunkel said while federal legislators’ attempts to change the current health care law have stopped in exchange for trying to pass a tax bill, the U.S. Senate’s version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would cause a decline of those covered by health care insurance.
“The Senate version of the bill would repeal the individual mandate, which would lead to rising health care costs in the marketplace and estimated 13 million Americans uninsured,” she said.
The Congressional Budget Office reported in November the repeal of the individual mandate would cause 13 million people to lose insurance coverage by 2027, as well as a 10 percent increase in premiums. The individual mandate requires people to have health care insurance or otherwise pay a fine.
Kunkel said it is important to raise awareness about federal health care policy, especially with next year’s election.
“We have a big opportunity next year to start electing politicians at the federal level who will start standing up for the idea that health care is a human right,” she said.
The House of Representatives and Senate agreed last week to enter a conference committee on a tax bill, with party leaders from both chambers picking lawmakers for the process.